2017.02.28 | Interview
Thanks to you, I spent this winter happier than ever. I worked really hard with the idea that I had to see "Goblin" on Friday and Saturday. Aren't you a little sad like me because the drama ended? The important work is done.
The drama is over, but there is hardly time to rest. But that's not bad either, because there are so many people looking for me as much as the drama did well.
Think you won't be able to appear on "I Live Alone" because it's not fun?
It probably won't air. There are also concerns. I've been on the reality variety show "Roommate," so I know what's going to happen when the staff comes into my house. The moment you install the camera, you can think of it as the end. I know how much it cost to repair the house that was filmed on "Roommate," so you'll never see me on that show (laughs).
During and after this job, I rarely did interviews. So, I came across an article about writer Eun-sook Kim that she actively suggested that she wanted to play the role of "The Grim Reaper."
There was a little misunderstanding so I didn't like the article when I read it. First of all, it's true that I first told the writer that she wanted to play the "Grim Reaper." However, it is not true that there was already an actor that Kim Eun-sook decided on and liked. After the article was published, the writer called me to apologize. Before the synopsis for "Goblin" came out, even before Gong Yoo was cast in the role of "Goblin", I only had treatment, and I thought, "I must do this", so I went there first. "Grim Reaper" is a very attractive character, and I said if I do it, I think I can do it well. The story line, fantasy genre, and setting of the Goblin and Death living in the same house were fine. I couldn't help but feel like I wanted to play this role.
Can you be more specific about what attracted you to the "Grim Reaper"?
When I thought about appearing in "Goblin", I was offered the role of the main character in a certain drama. As a result, the drama did quite well. I thought, "Oh, did you want to do that job?" For about 20 minutes (laughs). However, I think there was more he could show in "Goblin". He also knew that at least one person had to play two roles, so he wanted to give it a try. Dramatic elements like the story of a past life and the conflict with the Goblin appear around episode 13, so I thought I should build it step by step until then. I think I showed everything I could. I'm also proud that one person played three roles, including the reincarnated detective "Lee Hyuk" who appeared for 5-6 minutes in the last episode.
Many people say that they saw Lee Dong Wook again through this role. It's thanks to the fact that Wookie is handsome and played the innocent and cute Grim Reaper so well. Isn't it the first time you've played such a cute character?
I heard many stories about seeing a new side of me through drama. It is not the first time that I have acted like a silly and innocent figure in front of a loved one. Since so many people have seen this work, I don't think I'll ever tell that story again. However, apart from the public reaction, there is something that I regret. The characters I played in the previous job also studied and worked hard. It's been 18 years since I debuted and now 19 years since I debuted. I want to too. Of course, I try not to think deeply about drama ratings, as it is not an area that I can control. Anyway, I am very satisfied with my current love and thank you.
Looking at the filming site, it seemed like he was coming up with a lot of different ideas. Are you the type of person who actively expresses various opinions like that on most filming sites?
The premise is always that trust with the director should be the foundation. Otherwise, for me arbitrarily giving multiple opinions may be an exaggeration in a way. In this drama, director Lee Eung-bok believed in me with a very open mind. For example, there was a scene where a young 'Queen Queen' threw a jewelry box and then director Eung-bok Lee called me. He asked me to show him how she would pitch her if she were me. He did a demonstration and it was reflected in the real scene. Thank you for believing in me and trusting me.
Did the actors really get along? Although it is the story of a bright and lonely goblin, there were many funny scenes.
In the second half of the play, Gong Yoo and I seemed to have not been filming (laughs). All the actors had fun and played with the content from their hearts. After the drama ended, I thought I had a great time in the worldview created by Kim Eun-sook.
The "bromance" with Gong Yoo was cool too. The love and mutual respect was also reflected on the screen.
When Gong Yoo decided to appear in this drama, I first talked to him, he said, "I'm not doing this job to compete with my brother. In fact, even if I want to compete, I'm not even good at it" (laughs). During the drama, I helped my brother well and we both worked well together, so I hoped viewers would enjoy watching it. As always, Gong Yoo said, "Dong Wook, do whatever you want to do. I can accept anything, so feel free to act." So from the very first shoot, I felt very comfortable. We have both known each other for a long time, and we have both served in the military together, but acting together on a project is another matter. It was a really fun shoot because we started talking to each other at the beginning.
There were improvisations in the second half, but didn't you shed a lot of tears?
Ever since I filmed "Al Rey" before the "Grim Reaper", I expected it to be like this. But I didn't expect to cry so much (laughs). I cried more than any job I've ever done, that's for sure. So I asked the author: "I think I cry too much, do I have to cry so much?" But he said that he had no choice but to cry. When I read the script, they cried again. So I thought there should be a variation in tears. Because I can't cry with the same expression all the time. I have it in my eyes and I cried, I cried hard and it was very difficult to express sadness in various ways.
For a brief moment, he played the role of a king in pain. Many people say that historical drama fits very well. I would like to highly recommend a historical drama as my next job, how about it?
There is always something to say as a habit. It is not something I can say I want to do, it is someone who has to do it. When filming a historical drama, the entire staff said, "The next job is definitely a historical drama." The camera director also said it fits him well and looks great. In fact, I don't usually monitor in the field. I have to watch to see what is missing in my eyes, so if the director is okay, I think I'm okay. So, it was the first time that I saw myself as "The King" on television. I was pleasantly surprised by the compliment that came to me unexpectedly, but the editing power was excellent as well. It made an impact by appearing very briefly at an unexpected moment. Of course, if there is an offer for a historical drama as my next project, I will actively consider it.
All dramas end with the characters in the play going through certain events and growing up. What did the "Grim Reaper" realize and how did it grow?
"The King" took his own life leaving behind the words that no one loved her. But when he found out that everyone loved him, did he not realize how silly it was not to love himself? When I saw the "King" character, I thought of a passage from Ki Hyung-do's "Jealousy is My Power": "All my life I have been desperately searching for love, but I have never loved myself." Looking at the script, I thought it was similar to how I felt when I read this poem. It gave me the opportunity to think about how to love myself after leaving the role in the play. Learning is a very good job. It is always seen by someone and evaluated for that form. So I was always withdrawn without realizing it, and only the things I was not good at caught my attention. Now I have many thoughts that I need to be more confident and appreciate and love myself.
In general, he seems to have a very frank and direct personality. But after doing extremely romantic work like this drama, doesn't it get softer than before without realizing it?
I've always been romantic (laughs). Personally, I have always looked for romance in my works. I think it is always important to exchange hearts and love each other like that. But I don't know why I can't keep dating. As I approach my 30s, I want to be more cautious. But again, I don't want my age to set me back.
In fact, I would have done my best for every job, but the feedbacks and evaluations are bound to mix. Because not everything can be good. How do you deal with such a situation?
It really hurts the heart. If you are loved by many people like this job, it is easier to let go. Because even if it's not me, many people will still remember and love this drama and my character. However, dramas and characters that are not like this are even more regrettable. I wondered what it would be like if more people saw it. I have never been lost, but the results are not always good. In that case, time is medicine and alcohol is the answer (laughs). If possible, I try not to talk about the drama after it ends. When I was young, it was very difficult to go out. He seems to be tying himself down, so I try to get back to "me". When I meet my friends, I laugh, play and forget.
Looking back at the past, was there a time when you called yourself a "recession period"?
After I was discharged from the military, I appeared in the drama "Scent of a Woman" and received a lot of love. So I thought it was quite a successful comeback. The next job, "Wild Romance", was a character that I challenged because I was really excited, but it was a shame that it didn't get more affection. I think it was a period of stagnation of about three or four years from then. While appearing on the entertainment show "Roommate", I had a great idea to use it as an opportunity to freshen up a bit. The reaction of the public was later problematic.
First of all, I thought I should try something other than acting because I wanted to get rid of something myself and feel more comfortable. Until I did the drama "Bubble Gum" in 2015, I was always nervous. "What if the grades don't go up again? What if they neglect me again?" It was because of this thought. I've talked about it on "Roommate" before, but with the first episode of the drama a few days away, I always had the same nightmare. When I wake up from a dream in which everyone in the world laughs at me and points at me, my spine is cold. After three or four years of tremendous stress, I recovered through "Bubble Gum".
This work also did not have good grades, but the process of making it was pleasant and happy. We decided to meet up with the "Bubble Gum" team tomorrow as well. 18 people, including the actors, the director and the writer, created a group chat room and we continued to talk a lot without a break. Since I was so happy and comfortable working, it seemed to relax a bit from that point on. Of course, it would be nice if the results were good, but I realized once again that going through a pleasant process is also a good thing. After that, a year later, "Goblin" was loved very much, so I'm very happy.
He said that he would be meeting Lee Dong Wook today, so someone who claimed to be a longtime fan said this. She said, "Lee Dong Wook oppa doesn't pay for his face. If it were me, I could live a much more fun and enjoyable life with that look, but it seems like I take care of my family first and worry about work. Now I wish I could live. a little more selfishly. " What do you think about this?
Ok to some extent, but now that my younger brother is married and my parents are fine, I think I should take care of myself even now. It's been a year or two since I thought I wanted to have fun. I'm probably older than I am now, so I'm afraid if I play, I'll start to shake (laughs). Now I tried to think and play comfortably, but thanks to "Goblin", it suddenly became awkward again. Before, people didn't seem to pay as much attention to where I went, but now I take a lot of photos wherever I go. But actually, I think this will get better in a few months. There is always a cycle. If the drama goes well, it is a natural procedure, so for now, I think we should be quiet. I am too busy to have time to play. However, there is a clear desire to live comfortably and happily.
When we meet and talk, there are actors who are very different from those we see in the plays. On the other hand, there are actors who always act like themselves. I feel like Lee Dong Wook is an actor who always changes his appearance little by little, how is he?
Basically all the characters have the image of a human Lee Dong Wook. My well is limited but if I keep using it everything will run dry so I'm trying to find something new somehow. We seek the 4th industrial revolution. The reason I try to avoid acting successively with the same character is because I have no choice but to immerse myself in myself. I wonder what will happen if I meet a character completely opposite to my personality.
He has also appeared in three or four movies. Many Korean movies with "men" are released these days, isn't it time to appear once?
Open minded. The production environment for dramas is no different than for movies, so I don't think there is any problem adapting. In fact, I've been doing it since the days of making movie on movie. I can grind rolls (laughs). In a movie, I don't have to be the main character, I think it would be nice if I only appeared for 20 or 30 minutes. Because in that brief moment, I can spill everything I have. I am also interested in short films and small independent films, but nobody looks for me (laughs). After this drama ended, during the Lunar New Year holidays, our company manager brought me a mountain of settings to review, but I still haven't been able to find anything that catches my eye. I think it's because there is still a "Goblin" aftertaste.
The end of last year and the beginning of this year have already been achieved with "Goblin". How did the rest of 2017 go well?
Basically, I don't make plans for the year. When I was in the fifth grade of elementary school, I made a vacation life plan, and since I never followed through on it, I felt it was useless. This doesn't make sense, I realized. In the end, I'm not going to keep my promise, so I wondered what was so important. However, if anything has changed since then, the company took care of everything and made plans. An Asian tour to meet the fans is scheduled until June. I try to do what they tell me to do. Of course, the first thing to consider is the selection of the next project. That is always number one on my mind.
Source: Arena Homme + Magazine
Translation: Latin Fan Community
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